Comparison
A discontinued 1080p camera kept for reference against a 4K camera with autofocus, infrared sign-in support and a built-in microphone.
A 1080p webcam with a fixed-focus prime lens and software control over exposure and field of view.
Full product researchThe Elgato Facecam and the Logitech Brio 4K are both premium webcams, and both were sold to people who had outgrown a laptop camera. One of them is no longer sold. The Facecam's recorded product status is discontinued by the manufacturer, so it stays in this catalogue as a reference rather than as something to buy, and the decision in this comparison is now what the Brio 4K records that the Facecam does not.
The recorded decisive difference is focus behaviour. The Facecam records a fixed focus prime lens and software control over exposure and field of view. The Brio records autofocus, an adjustable field of view and infrared support for platform authentication. Neither can be judged from a specification list alone, so this page sets out what is recorded and what that does and does not tell a buyer.
Every value here comes from the specifications recorded against each product, with the manufacturer page it was read from. No camera was measured for this comparison, so there is no claim about image quality, autofocus behaviour in a dim room, or how either camera handles a moving subject.
Product status. The Facecam records its product status as discontinued by the manufacturer, and that note appears in its recorded feature list beside manual exposure control and the absence of a built-in microphone. The Brio records no such note and is the camera currently covered for purchase. This is the first difference, and it is a different kind of difference from the ones below.
Resolution. The Facecam records 1080p at 60 fps. The Brio records up to 4K at 30 fps and 1080p at 60 fps. The higher ceiling sits with the Brio, and both cameras can run the same 1080p at 60 fps, which is the mode most streaming and calling software is delivered in.
Focus. The Facecam records its lens as a fixed focus prime. The Brio records autofocus. A fixed lens suits a camera that stays in one position pointed at one seated person. Autofocus is the more forgiving arrangement when the camera moves or when more than one person is in frame.
Field of view. Both cameras record an adjustable field of view, with the Facecam specifying adjustable in software. The Facecam records a field of view angle of 82 degrees diagonal, while the Brio records 90, 78 or 65 degrees across three presets.
Infrared support. The Brio records infrared support as yes, and infrared authentication support appears in its recorded feature list, which is what allows Windows Hello style sign-in to use the camera. The Facecam records no infrared value at all, so it takes no part in that kind of authentication.
Built-in microphone. The Facecam records its built-in microphone as no, and the Brio records a dual omni-directional microphone with a range of up to 1.2 m. For a camera bought to replace a laptop camera, that difference can decide the purchase on its own.
Mounting. The Facecam records a monitor mount and a tripod thread, and a size of 58 by 80 by 48 mm without the mount. The Brio records no mounting value, so nothing can be said from the recorded data about how it attaches.
If you are buying a webcam today, the Facecam is not the answer, because its recorded product status is discontinued. The Brio 4K is the camera in this comparison that is currently covered, and its recorded autofocus, its recorded infrared support and its recorded built-in microphone are the reasons to look at it.
The Facecam still earns a place here because its recorded specifications explain what manual control looked like in a camera at this price, and that is the standard the Brio is measured against. Its recorded manual exposure control and software adjustable field of view are worth understanding before buying a camera that decides exposure for you.
It does not settle price, because no price is recorded for either camera. It does not settle image quality, low light performance, or how reliable the autofocus is, because no camera was measured and no such record exists. It settles resolution, focus, field of view, infrared support, the built-in microphone, mounting and product status, which is enough to separate a discontinued 1080p camera recorded for reference from a 4K camera with autofocus that is still sold.
Methodology
How the products below were evaluated and chosen.
What this comparison settles
It settles the recorded product status, resolution, focus arrangement, field of view, infrared support, built-in microphone and mounting of both cameras, and which of them records manual exposure control. It does not settle price, image quality, low light behaviour or how reliable the autofocus is, because none of those are recorded and no camera was measured. It settles enough to separate a discontinued 1080p camera kept for reference from a 4K camera with autofocus that is still sold.
At a glance
Values come from the structured product database, not from prose.
| Attribute | Elgato Facecam | Logitech Brio 4K |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080p at 60 fps | Up to 4K at 30 fps, 1080p at 60 fps |
| Focus | Not recorded | Autofocus |
| Field of view | Adjustable in software | Adjustable |
| Infrared support | Not recorded | Yes |
| Built-in microphone | No | Yes, dual omni-directional with a range up to 1.2 m |
| Product status | Discontinued by the manufacturer | Not recorded |
Scroll the table sideways to see every product.
Differences
The differences that change the buying decision.
Product status: discontinued against still sold
The Facecam records its product status as discontinued by the manufacturer, and that note sits in its recorded feature list beside manual exposure control and the absence of a built-in microphone. The Brio records no such note, so it is the camera in this comparison that is still covered for purchase.
Focus: a fixed prime lens against recorded autofocus
The Facecam records its lens as a fixed focus prime, so the focus plane does not move. The Brio records autofocus. A camera that stays in one place facing one person suits a fixed arrangement, while autofocus suits a camera that gets moved or shared.
Resolution: 1080p at 60 fps against up to 4K at 30 fps
The Facecam records 1080p at 60 fps. The Brio records up to 4K at 30 fps and 1080p at 60 fps, so the higher ceiling sits with the Brio while both can run the same 1080p mode.
Infrared support: recorded on the Brio only
The Brio records infrared support as yes, and infrared authentication support appears in its recorded feature list, which is what allows Windows Hello style sign-in to use the camera. The Facecam records no infrared value, so it takes no part in that authentication.
Built-in microphone: none recorded against a dual omni-directional pair
The Facecam records its built-in microphone as no. The Brio records a dual omni-directional built-in microphone with a range of up to 1.2 m. For a camera bought to replace a laptop camera, that difference can decide the purchase on its own.
Field of view: 82 degrees diagonal against three presets
Both cameras record an adjustable field of view, with the Facecam specifying adjustable in software. The Facecam records a field of view angle of 82 degrees diagonal, and the Brio records 90, 78 or 65 degrees across three presets.
Products
Why it is here: The subject of this comparison. Its recorded 1080p at 60 fps capture, fixed focus prime lens, software adjustable field of view and manual exposure control are the values the Brio is measured against, and its recorded product status is discontinued.
Resolution: 1080p at 60 fps
Why it is here: The alternative. Its recorded up to 4K at 30 fps capture, autofocus, adjustable field of view, infrared support for platform authentication and a built-in microphone are the values it puts against the Facecam's fixed lens and recorded discontinuation.
Resolution: Up to 4K at 30 fps, 1080p at 60 fps
Fit
Each product is matched to the reader who should pick it, and to the reader who should not.
Choose it if
Look elsewhere if
Choose it if
Look elsewhere if
Context
What a fixed focus lens costs
A fixed focus prime is simple and repeatable when the camera does not move, and the recorded manual exposure control means the frame can be set once and left alone. The cost is that the recorded absence of a built-in microphone leaves audio to another device, and the recorded product status ends the purchase question entirely.What autofocus and infrared cost
The recorded autofocus, the recorded up to 4K at 30 fps mode and the recorded infrared support are the reasons to pay more, and the recorded built-in microphone removes a second device from the desk. The cost is that the Facecam records manual exposure control and a field of view adjustable in software, which is what a user who wants to set the frame themselves would be giving up.FAQ
No. Its recorded product status is discontinued by the manufacturer, and that note appears in its recorded feature list. It is kept in this catalogue as a reference rather than as a current recommendation.
Source:Elgato Facecam page
No. The recorded lens is a fixed focus prime, so the focus plane does not change, and manual exposure control is in the recorded feature list.
Source:Elgato Facecam page
Up to 4K at 30 fps and 1080p at 60 fps, alongside recorded autofocus and an adjustable field of view.
Source:Logitech Brio 4K page
The recorded infrared support is yes, and infrared authentication support appears in the recorded feature list, which is what lets platform sign-in use the camera.
Source:Logitech Brio 4K page
No. The recorded built-in microphone is no, and the recorded absence of a built-in microphone also appears in the feature list. The Brio records a dual omni-directional microphone with a range of up to 1.2 m.
Source:Elgato Facecam page
Both record an adjustable field of view. The Facecam records it as adjustable in software with an 82 degree diagonal angle, and the Brio records 90, 78 or 65 degrees across three presets.
Source:Logitech Brio 4K page
Keep researching
The recorded alternative to the Elgato Facecam is the Logitech Brio 4K, which records up to 4K at 30 fps with autofocus and infrared support for.
Partly, and the recorded specifications show where the software sits.
The Elgato Facecam is a 1080p webcam with a fixed-focus prime lens and software control over exposure and field of view.
